Elements and Performance Criteria

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.
Condition of participants may include:
previous experience
physical capabilities
age
injuries and illnesses.
Plan may include:
aims and objectives
date, time and duration
location, equipment and resources
guide and participant ratios
safety requirements
risk and contingency management plan.
Relevant legislation may include:
occupational health and safety
permits or permission for access
environmental regulations.
Organisational policies and procedures may include:
occupational health and safety
time and budget constraints
use, maintenance and storage of equipment
communication protocols
confidentiality of participant information
guide and participant ratios
emergency and safety procedures
code of ethics.
Canyon may include:
intermittent vertical pitches of variable length
multi-pitch abseils with belay stations mid-pitch
terrain obstacles which obstruct regular route
wet sections
flowing water and resultant hydrological formations.
Trip objectives may include:
self improvement
meeting people
fitness targets
adventure and recreation.
Hazards may include:
temperature extremes
slippery or unstable terrain
dangerous animals and insects
stinging trees and nettles
dense vegetation
group management hazards.
Risks may include:
hypothermia
heat exhaustion
injuries
lost party or party member
equipment failure.
Relevant sources may include:
Bureau of Meteorology
media
land manager or agencies
local knowledge
police.
Weather and environmental information may include:
satellite images
daily and weekly forecasts
maximum and minimum temperatures
weather warnings
event warnings
river levels
synoptic charts
high and low tide predictions.
Food and water requirements may include:
menu planning and preparation
range of foods.
Principles of nutrition may include:
food groups
dietary guidelines
individual food requirements and allergies.
Contextual issues may include:
weather conditions, including times
season
transport
location
trip distance and duration
group objectives
group size.
Belay system may include:
top belay
bottom brake.
Appropriate authorities may include:
authorities
supervisors.
Equipment may include:
canyoning equipment
abseiling and belaying equipment
safety, first aid and rescue equipment
navigation equipment
communication equipment
repair equipment.
Relevant information may include:
safety procedures
logistical details
risk and hazard prevention and management
canyoning, abseiling and belaying techniques
responsible and safe behaviour.
Safety procedures may include:
procedures for inversion and entrapment
pre activity and safety checks
safety procedures applied at top and bottom of descent
wearing of helmets
safety ropes
positioned out of direct line of gear fall
use of safety and rescue equipment.
Canyoning techniques may include:
liloing
white water swimming
river running
abseiling
belaying.
Variable factors may include:
change of weather and conditions
equipment failure
participant's needs.
Relevant aspects may include:
objectives
planning process
activity site
weather
equipment selection
clothing selection
food selection
instructional content
instructional technique
assessment technique
group feedback
directing techniques
rescue techniques employed.

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.
Overview of assessment

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
Evidence of the following is essential:
plans within activity constraints and guides and monitors group in a safe and professional manner
applies effective contingency management techniques to deal with a range of problems or variable factors that may arise during canyoning trips
encourages and responds to group feedback and evaluates and reflects on own guiding performance to identify strengths, weaknesses and areas that need improvement.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Assessment must ensure the safe guiding of canyoning trips in locations that reflect local conditions and are of sufficient breadth and duration to demonstrate competency and consistency of performance.
Assessment must also ensure access to:
a suitable canyon that enables the demonstration and practice of multi pitch canyoning activities
participants to take part in the canyoning trip
resources and information regarding participants and location to plan, guide and document canyoning activities for a variety of participants
canyoning, abseiling, belaying, protection, navigation, communication, safety and first aid equipment.
Method of assessment
A range of assessment methods should be used to assess practical skills and knowledge. The following examples are appropriate for this unit:
observation of planning and guiding processes and interacting with participants, including conveying information for safe participation
observation of dealing with contingencies such as changing weather conditions and equipment failure
oral or written questioning to assess knowledge of relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures to enable safe conduct of all canyoning activities during trip
review of canyoning trip plans
third-party reports from a supervisor detailing performance.
Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended, for example:
SISOCAY406A Establish complex belays in canyons
SISOOPS303A Interpret weather conditions in the field
SISOVTR402A Perform complex vertical rescues.